Thailand scraps 60-day visa-free stay for Australians
Strict new travel rules are on the way as the country aims to crack down on international crime.
By Staff Writers, May 20 2026
Australians will no longer enjoy a 60-day stay in Thailand without needing a visa, under new rules approved this week by the Thai government.
And it’s not only Aussies who are in the crosshairs.
Visitors from over 90 countries – including the UK, Germany, China, the USA, India, Japan and South Korea – have been able to visit Thailand for up to 60 days without needing a visa since July 2024, as part of a government effort to boost the economy following the pandemic.
This will largely revert to the previous 30-day cap on a visa-free stay, although Thailand’s foreign ministry said some visitors will have shorter or longer visa-exemption periods, based on reciprocal agreements with individual countries.
The new rules will take effect 15 days after they are published in the Royal Gazette, which means they could be in force by the middle of this year.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said returning to the 30-day visa-free period was “more suitable for the current situation, both in terms of the economy and national security.”
Thailand has experienced a series of high-profile arrests of foreigners, including cases linked to drugs and sex trafficking, feeding into a belief that the longer visa-free period has been exploited by criminals.
The 30-day stay is said to be more aligned with genuine short-term tourism.
As previously reported, Thailand is also considering compulsory travel insurance for all visitors, as unpaid medical bills threaten to overwhelm the public healthcare system.
Industry data shows that locally-issued travel insurance for a two-week stay costs about 1,100 baht (A$48), typically providing medical coverage up to A$400,000.
A proposed 300 baht (A$13) entry fee for all foreign visitors remains under government review, with a small part of this fee going towards basic medical insurance; the rest would be a general tourist tax, which would be used to improve tourism infrastructure and public amenities.
Also read: What to expect from Thai Airways’ next-gen business class
Velocity
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 68
Oh well. It was nice while it lasted. From various articles in the Bangkok Post, the change stems mainly from visitors obtaining work, and/or overstaying the visa. There are also certain National groups whom I won’t mention, who are the main offenders in this.
Supposedly, there will still be 57 countries out of 93, who will retain the 60 days. I was hoping that Aus would be among them. But seemingly not! So I’ll just have to jump through the hoops at Immigration, to extend to 60 days. Or apply for a Long-Stay Visa.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 870
Not that much of a problem, all things considered.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Thailand scraps 60-day visa-free stay for Australians